Tag Archives: In The Year 2525

Already a sleeper top ten hit on the Rhythmic survey, “3005” by Childish Gambino is set to crossover to CHR radio in roughly a week and a half as the first pop release from his album of last year, Because The Internet. You might remember that in 2012, his song “Heartbeat” gained some pop play and wound up just below the top 40. We’ll see what happens with Glassnote’s latest attempt to break the rapper at the format. (Thus far, it’s just scratched the Hot 100.)

The year 3005, as found in the title, doesn’t occur for another 991 years, and it got me thinking about other chart hits that were ahead of their time. Of course, I mean in terms of a year in the title, not in terms of content; that’s a whole other post or five. So, enjoy as I go reelin’ in the years from some of these Billboard top 40 time predictors:

“In The Year 2525”, Zager & Evans (1969)
Denny Zager and Rick Evans formed their duo several years before recording their epic hit, the tale about a world plagued by the dangers of technology and the future of a dehumanized race. Despite a dark message, the single connected with the buying public. “Year” spent six weeks at #1 during the summer of ’69; a followup, “Mr. Turnkey”, just missed the Hot 100.

“1999”, Prince and the Revolution (1982-3)
A funky party from the future came into our lives three decades ago and it’s still all over the airwaves in 2014. As much of a classic as it is today, the first single from the Purple One’s album of the same name actually peaked just below the top 40 in its first chart run during the fall of ’82. In a rerelease the next summer, it rose to a better #12 before it was “out of time.”

“Year 3000”, The Jonas Brothers (2007)
Remember when these guys were still around? Before the underwhelming solo careers and the messy group split before a series of concerts last year, the trio of Joe, Kevin and Nick were riding high on the Hot 100 with this song, originally done by another trio – the U.K. band Busted. With a few minor lyric adjustments, the three Brothers took their version to #31.

“2012 (It Ain’t The End)”, Jay Sean featuring Nicki Minaj (2010)
After two big U.S. radio hits with “Down” and “Do You Remember?”, this British performer played into the theory that the world would end on December 21, 2012 for his third Stateside single. However, like that daunting event, the notion of this song blowing up didn’t actually happen. Released too early to make a significant impact, it quickly peaked at #31 that fall.

Which one of these top hits from the time machine leaps forward on your playlist? Let me know! Comment below or click on the “Get Social!” tab above to find PGTC on Facebook and Twitter.